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Published: March 18th 2008
Wednesday 12th March, I got the train to Sydney airport early (Tom dropped me off at Richmond at around 8am - thanks again Tom)- ready for the 11.30am flight to Auckland. The Air New Zealand flight was half an hour delayed and they obviously had a big team on board, because I've never heard so much chit-chat to the passengers, on and off for a large part of the 3 hour flight. There was a not very enjoyable film, Suburban Girl starring Sarah Michelle Geller and Alec Baldwin (yuck). Guess Singapore Airlines has spoiled me for life! I arrived in Auckland and had collected luggage etc. by about 6pm NZ time (they are 2 hours ahead of Australia). Got myself a NZ sim card, if anyone wants to text just let me know - I'm on a great rate ;o) and decided to start the backpacker budget in earnest and not pay $80 NZ to get a shuttle from the airport to Hamilton. In the end I paid $15 to get the bus into Auckland, which was interesting, didn't pass through a suburb I didn't like, and then paid $27 to get from Auckland to Hamilton (unfortunately they don't do a
Recording the Wedding
Gray (Liam's father) and Tina - friend of the married couple and voted most amicable room-mate of 2008bus from the airport). To arrive at Hamilton at 9.50pm where Rae and Gray kindly picked me up.
Thursday 13th March, we hung out at Rae and Gray's house (I enjoyed a lie in so didn't surface until after 10am!) and got things ready for the wedding reception the next day. In the evening, we went to Rebecca's parents, house (Lyn and Brian) for a Kiwi style bbq and it was really nice to meet all her family, including mother Lyn, father Brian and sister Nicola, one of the bridesmaids. Todd picked up Rebecca and Liam's friend Tina from the airport (Tina flew in from Melbourne) and they met us at the bbq. Tina and I because roomies - great gal. We headed back to Rae and Gray's after the bbq. Around 10pm, Liam's brother Eugene arrived with girlfriend Nar and Eugene's daughter Collette (12) (one of the bridesmaids) and son Callum (7) (an usher).
Friday 14th March - Wedding Day! It was a really lovely day. Gray's brother Paul arrived, with daughters Hermione (14) and Freya (12) . Paul and friends are in a band and did some jazz music at the wedding reception. The rain and
Waiting for the Bride
Lyn (Bride Rebecca's mum), The Celebrant who conducted the service, Rae (Groom Liam's mum) wind held off and everything went smoothly. I managed to get some nice shots (though I say so myself) but sorry to the children, I decided not to publish kids pics on my blog, so that's why your photos are not on here, but they came out great too! Joney, a lady who caters for pop groups on tour including Duran Duran, Elton John and Robbie Williams catered the food and it was to die for gorgeous, not to mention the NZ Sauvignon Blanc!
Many thanks to Liam and Rebecca for inviting me to their wedding, I had a really lovely day.
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jan
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pics
great pics Mandy, dress looked fab. enjoy the rest of your trip,,,x jan